Identity & origin
BOTANICAL IDENTITY
The right name is the first step.
Firmiana simplex is documented in the USDA ethnobotanical database. This notice identifies the taxon and a selection of attributed historical uses. It does not recommend medicinal use.
Also known as: Sterculia platanifolia
The accepted name is reconciled with GBIF; historical source names remain visible as synonyms. Other species and plant parts are not interchangeable. A photograph cannot confirm an identification for consumption.
An illustration is not enough to identify a plant for consumption. Do not forage for a species based solely on this profile.
Uses & evidence
UNDERSTANDING THE USES
Properties & uses.
Historical record: Piles
The USDA ethnobotanical entry 36863, under the name Sterculia platanifolia, records “Piles”. The plant part and a validated dose are not given in the consulted entry. This does not establish clinical effectiveness or safety. The original publication is cited by USDA and was not reviewed directly.
Use reported in a survey or inventory. This establishes neither benefit nor safety.
Read the sourceHistorical record: Abscess
The USDA ethnobotanical entry 63640, under the name Sterculia platanifolia, records “Abscess”. The plant part and a validated dose are not given in the consulted entry. This does not establish clinical effectiveness or safety. The original publication is cited by USDA and was not reviewed directly.
Use reported in a survey or inventory. This establishes neither benefit nor safety.
Read the sourceHistorical record: Astringent
The USDA ethnobotanical entry 65331, under the name Sterculia platanifolia, records “Astringent”. The plant part and a validated dose are not given in the consulted entry. This does not establish clinical effectiveness or safety. The original publication is cited by USDA and was not reviewed directly.
Use reported in a survey or inventory. This establishes neither benefit nor safety.
Read the sourceThe traditional uses described are not clinical proof of effectiveness. Evidence for one preparation cannot automatically be applied to another.
Precautions before use
BEFORE ANY USE
Precautions & contraindications.
This guidance does not cover every individual situation. Missing information is not a guarantee of safety.
The following warnings do not constitute a complete review of interactions or contraindications. An unstudied combination cannot be considered compatible.
Contraindications & precautions
- Historical record only. Do not prepare or consume this plant based on this notice.
- A complete clinical contraindication assessment is not available in the references used here. Missing information is not evidence of safety.
Medicine interactions
- Interactions have not been systematically assessed in this historical inventory. Compatibility with medicines cannot be established.
“Reported” does not prove causality; “possible” may reflect indirect evidence. “None reported” means none in the cited source, not that all combinations have been studied. Do not stop a prescribed treatment based on this profile.
Adverse effects
- The historical inventory does not provide a complete adverse-event assessment.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
Safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not established here. No medicinal use is recommended.
Children & adolescents
No paediatric preparation or dose is validated by this notice. Do not extrapolate historical adult uses to children.
If symptoms persist, worsen or are unusual, consult a healthcare professional. In an emergency, contact the emergency services.
Sources & last review
CHECKING REFERENCES
Sources for this profile.
- USDA — ETHNOBOT #65331 — Shih-chen, Li. 1973. Chinese medinal herbs. Georgetown Press, San Francisco.Accessed on 09/10/2026
- GBIF — Firmiana simplex (L.) W.WightAccessed on 09/10/2026